HOW MUCH DO YOU USUALLY SPEND?

Talking about money and spending habits is an important part of everyday life. Whether you are shopping for clothes, groceries, or gifts, understanding how to discuss spending is essential. This topic helps learners practice asking and answering questions about money, using the correct grammar, and expanding vocabulary related to spending and budgeting.

GRAMMAR: Present Simple with Adverbs of Frequency

We use the present simple tense to talk about habits, routines, or things that happen regularly. Adverbs of frequency like always, usually, sometimes, and never help describe how often something happens.

Structure with adverbs of frequency:

Subject + adverb + verb (for most verbs)
- Example: I usually spend $20 on lunch.
Subject + to be + adverb
- Example: He is always careful with his money.

Examples in sentences:

Positive:
- I usually spend $50 when I go shopping.
- She sometimes buys expensive clothes.
Negative:
- I don’t usually spend a lot of money.
- He never spends more than he earns.
Questions:
- How much do you usually spend on food?
- Does she often spend money on gifts?

VOCABULARY

Spend: To use money to buy things.
Save: To keep money and not spend it.
Budget: A plan for how to use your money.
Price: The amount of money something costs.
Cheap: Not expensive.
Expensive: Costing a lot of money.
Wallet: A small case for holding money and cards.
Receipt: A piece of paper showing what you bought and how much you paid.
Total: The full amount of money spent.
Worth: The value of something in money.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

"How much do you usually spend on weekends?"
"I try to save money every month."
"This is too expensive for me."
"What’s the total cost?"
"Can I see the price tag?"
"I don’t spend much on clothes."
"It’s worth the price."
"I always stick to my budget."
"Do you think this is cheap or expensive?"
"I spend most of my money on food and transport."

SENTENCES

Positive:

I usually spend about $100 a week.
She spends a lot on her hobbies.

Negative:

I don’t usually spend money on unnecessary things.
He never spends more than $20 on coffee.

Questions:

How much do you usually spend on groceries?
Does he often spend money on games?

Answers:

I usually spend around $50.
No, he rarely spends money on games.

CONVERSATION

Tom: How much do you usually spend on food each week?
Anna: I usually spend about $50. What about you?
Tom: I spend a little more, around $70. I eat out often.
Anna: That’s a lot! Do you ever try to save money?
Tom: Sometimes, but I love going to restaurants.
Anna: I prefer cooking at home. It’s cheaper.

READING

"Smart Spending Tips"

Many people wonder how much they should spend every month. It depends on your budget and priorities. A smart way to manage your money is to divide it into three categories: needs, wants, and savings.

Needs include things like rent, food, and transport. These are things you must pay for. Most people spend about 50% of their income on needs.

Wants are things you like but don’t need, such as eating out or buying new clothes. It’s a good idea to limit your spending on wants to 30% of your income.

Finally, always save some money for the future. Financial experts recommend saving at least 20% of your income.

For example, if you earn $1,000 a month, you can spend $500 on needs, $300 on wants, and save $200. By following this plan, you can enjoy your money and prepare for the future.

Questions:

What are the three categories of spending?
How much should you spend on needs?
What are examples of wants?
How much of your income should you save?
Why is it important to save money?

Answers:

The three categories are needs, wants, and savings.
You should spend about 50% of your income on needs.
Examples of wants are eating out and buying new clothes.
You should save at least 20% of your income.
Saving money is important to prepare for the future.

BREAKING